A Toe Turns Into A Thumb: The Reconstruction Magic

Tell My Story

Mohan, a 32 year old industrial worker (name changed) who lost his right hand thumb and index finger in an accident has now got a new thumb reconstructed, thanks to surgeons at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Chennai who dissected his second toe of his left foot and attached it to his hand. Earlier attempts to re-attach the amputated original fingers did not succeed due to severe injury.

Doctors say the thumb contributes to 70% of the functions of the hand as other fingers touch or hold the thumb for all activities including eating, brushing teeth and dressing among others. Dr Srinivasan Rajappa, Head of Hand Surgery Department who performed this transplant told tellmystory.in “This reconstruction will significantly change the patient’s hand and his life will change quite considerably. He can start brushing himself and dressing himself “.

The procedure requires connecting blood vessels in the hand with those on the amputated toe besides nerves and tendons. Calling this a “high stakes game” with possibilities of blood supply dying or decline in sensation, Dr Rajappa added “These complications are so minimal that this operation is so meaningful for anyone”.

Organ transplant experts say there needs to be an increased awareness on preserving and handling amputated body parts the right way in the event of accidents so they can be reattached.

Amputated parts ought to be washed in running water and put in a plastic bags before rushing to hospital. “Never put the amputated part directly in ice as it will result in irreversible tissue damage leading to inability to do the operation in attaching the amputated part”, says Dr Rajappa. The patient in such a situation shouldn’t also be given anything to drink or eat as it would delay the surgery, losing lots of precious time.

Doctors and nurses at the hospital did not charge any professional fee for this procedure making it possible for the patient to get the reconstruction done at a subsidised cost.

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